“Juan Gabriel: Debo, puedo y quiero,” a new Netflix documentary, explores the intimate circle that shaped the iconic artist. The series uncovers thousands of previously unseen photos and records. These archives reveal the deep personal bonds that were crucial to Juan Gabriel’s immense success.
Director María José Cuevas emphasized the importance of close connections. She stated that the documentary’s narrators had to be from Juan Gabriel’s inner circle. This ensured authentic recollections of his life.
Victoria Valadez Rojas, Juan Gabriel’s mother, played a complex but key role. She placed him in an institution as a child and never visited. Despite this, Juan Gabriel later bought her a house with his first earnings. She reportedly received this gesture with indifference, according to El País.
Her death in 1974 inspired his hit song “Amor Eterno.” He initially found the song too emotional to perform himself. Rocío Dúrcal popularized the track globally after he offered it to her. Juan Gabriel finally performed it in 1990 at the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City.
Iván Aguilera, Juan Gabriel’s eldest son, represents the paternal love the artist built. Iván and his brothers, Joan, Hans, and Jean, grew up outside Mexico in a private, affectionate environment. As the universal heir to his father’s legacy, Iván shares tender memories in the documentary. He recalls the man beyond the spotlight. One moment in the second episode reveals Juan Gabriel asking acquaintances not to inquire about his sons’ mother before their introduction.
Laura Salas is the adoptive mother of all four of Juan Gabriel’s children. She maintained a discreet and loyal presence, building a strong family unit away from public scrutiny. Her brother, Jesús Salas, was a confidant and ally throughout Juan Gabriel’s career. He now safeguards many of the artist’s private stories. Laura appears in select scenes of the documentary. However, she has not given interviews about Juan Gabriel’s personal life.
Paco Fernández, a friend from Venezuela, was a musical collaborator and accomplice. Private recordings show his playful and human side. The docuseries highlights their shared travels and songs. This illustrates that Fernández was part of the family Juan Gabriel chose.
María de la Paz Arcaraz served as Juan Gabriel’s manager for 20 years. She also acted as a maternal figure in his artistic journey. She is credited with shaping Juan Gabriel’s public image. The series details her care for his attire, communication, and even his physical presentation. Juan Gabriel dedicated a song to her, also titled “María de la Paz.” It was released in 1981 on his album “Con Tu Amor.”
Behind his legendary status, Alberto Aguilera Valadez was a man surrounded by loyalty, love, and destiny. These personal connections were vital to his artistic achievements. While many others contributed to his career, this inner circle of family and close friends stands out. They formed the emotional core of his life.